A golf insider has revealed what he witnessed from Rory McIlroy behind the scenes at the Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy marked himself out as a Ryder Cup captain in waiting as far back as 10 years ago, according to a Team Europe insider. McIlroy has been the toast of British sport this year after finally winning the Masters to complete golf’s Grand Slam.
The Northern Irishman also won the coveted Players Championship and the Race to Dubai title before playing an integral role as Europe retained the Ryder Cup in dramatic fashion at Bethpage Black. To cap a phenomenal year, McIlroy was last week named the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year.
While still at the peak of his powers, McIlroy can look forward to many more Ryder Cup campaigns as a player. Beyond that, it is inevitable he will captain the team one day, according to performance coach Chris Henry, who was part of the Team Europe set-up at the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine, where Team USA won 17-11.
McIlroy was just 26 at the time but impressed Henry, who was working with another Team Europe player, Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello.
“I was in the players’ meetings, listening to people like Rory McIlroy, it was fascinating,” Henry, who has also worked with Lee Westwood, plus various top snooker players, told Mirror Sport.
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“Some of the things he was saying to the players were really fantastic, really encouraging.”
Asked if McIlroy had taken on a leadership role, Henry said: “He did. Obviously, with him and Darren Clarke [the captain] both being Northern Irish, he wanted to help Darren.
“A couple of times in meetings, Rory would stand up and speak with some motivational stuff. He said if we do these certain things, we can win, if we believe in ourselves… that kind of rhetoric.
“It was fantastic to listen to. He was very encouraging, very confident, very positive. He was obviously very experienced by then, having won four majors.
“He’s such a great character. Back then, he was an old head on young shoulders. He’s just a great guy, phenomenal, what a great guy to have in your team.
“I think it’s nailed on [that he’ll be captain] and you know what, he’ll make a phenomenal Ryder Cup captain as well.
“Not only because of his credibility with the players but his way of helping to motivate people. It was wonderful to watch.”
McIlroy is now enjoying some much-deserved downtime ahead of 2026 when he will attempt to add to his tally of major titles.
